Rooibos

Three Weavers is mixing IPA with Rooibos tea and have canned it fir us, Tea B.D IPA.

“Tea B.D. was dry-hopped with Talus, Azacca and a pinch of Idaho Gem then cold-steeped with South African Rooibos tea to produce a beer that’s (per his eloquent description) “kinda tropical-ish and stone fruity with a bit of a floral, woody, vanilla vibe in the background.”

Aces

AleSmith is not slowing down the collaboration train as they have a new West Coast-style IPA with Revision Brewing, Split Aces.

The press release description is, “Notes of tropical fruit, pine, & berries all shine through thanks to Idaho 7, Chinook, and Mosaic hops, all brought together by a healthy punch of malt.”

Review – Humans Vs. Wizards

Time to choose a side. Wizards and Hazies or Humans and West Coasties?

This challenge comes to us from Smog City and Three Weavers and their two IPA’s…

We start with…

More Wizard Than Human Hazy IPA – fruit plus Sweet Tart on the aroma. Soft on the palate. The bitterness is there but more lurking than upfront. The spell of hops is from Strata, Cashmere and El Dorado. I get some tea like notes from the Strata plus a little twisted malt note.

More Human Than Wizard West Coast IPA – according to the label art, much bigger hops used. Though really it is the same big three just expressed differently. Tilted more British in styling with a bready note. More earthy and woody and no fruit.

Verdict – I like the fruity notes in the hazy over the earthy in the West Coast. I also like the wizard over the Thor like dude with the big H mash paddle.

Review – Two IPA’s from Lucky Luke Brewing

Time to dive into some IPA’s from sorta local Lucky Luke Brewing Company.

In a world where a LOT of IPAs taste very similar, these two do not.

Hooray for Me – this is quite uniquely fruity. Maybe guava or papaya here. It has the clarity if not the bracing bitterness. That 7.2% is super well masked. Could easily be a DIPA in name.

Free High 5 – certainly a hazy DIPA. Getting huge amounts of banana and earthiness here. Squarely in the hazy category. This is a cheek warmer. Soft texture but in no way weak.

Review – RnD #4 from Russian River

Time to check in with Research & Development at Russian River Brewing

#4 pours a really light yellow but has a huge floral and grape aroma that fills the glass. Along with the Concord grape aroma, I also get a touch of cattiness as well. There is a sharp biting hop hit at first that leads to the woody and fruity mashup. It tastes stronger than the color and 7% ABV would leas you to think.

Featured Review – Hopnosis from Firestone Walker

Earlier this month, I re-reviewed a beer from Stone Brewing, now, don’t get confused, I am reviewing a beer from Firestone Walker, Hopnosis IPA.

This is yet another light and bright beauty from FW. Hopnosis pours a darkish yellow. There is a light pine earthy aroma that really pops. The bitterness is calibrated just right. As you drink, a little fruit punch flavor creeps into adding another layer.